Sea Lake night sky brings tourists to town

ROYAL Hotel publican Dave Walter says the night sky above Lake Tyrell has brought bus loads of tourists to his pub in nearby Sea Lake.

Starry nights: Jane Stacey, Jenna Alday, Bron Alday, Alison McClelland, Ellie Stacey, Rachel Pearce and Murray Allan. Picture: Jason Edwards

A SMALL Victorian country town is thanking its lucky stars after an influx of tourists saved it from the brink.

Sea Lake locals have always known that Lake Tyrrell is one of the best spots in the country to look at the night sky, but after a pub landlord uploaded a photo to social media, tourism took off faster than a shooting star.

The photo, sent to a Chinese tourism operator in Melbourne, has sparked a very welcome “Asian invasion”, locals say.

Booming business: Publican Dave Walter says the night sky has brought bus loads of tourists to his pub. Picture: Jason Edwards

Royal Hotel owner Dave Walter said he had almost 500 “star tourists” staying overnight at his hotel each month.

It’s a perfect spot because the 208sq km salt lake is very flat and very dark, says Sea Lake kindergarten teacher-turned-stargazer Bronwen Alday.

“In the city, you can spot the Southern Cross; because it’s so bright out here, you’ve really got to train your eyes to pick it out,” she said.

Read more at the Herald Sun